St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-22
The MANITOBA CHIEF.
James j. Hill and Party En-
Enthusiastically Welcomed
to Helena,
On the Occasion Of the For
nal Opening Of the Mon
tana Central.
Eore Trouble Reported About
the Lumber Rates in
Minnesota.
Fears That the Railroad Com
panies Will Go Back to
the Old Rates.
Special 10 the Globe.

Special 10 the Globe.
HELENA. Mont, Nov. 31.-The Man.
itOba track entered Helena last Satur-
day, the 10th inst, at 2 p. m, over the
Montana Central railroad, which is
really an extension of the Manitoba sys
tenn from Great Falls, ninety-seven
miles north of Helena. To-day at 1:30
p. N. the first through train from st.
Paul, bearing President Hill and party,
arrived over the new road. The train
consisted Of an engine and four cars, in
Guiding special coaches Manitoba and
Dakota. Mr.. Hills party comprised the
following gentlemen: James ]. Hill,
A ii. Wilder, P. II. Kelly, E. W. Win
ter, Morris Auerbach, J. a. WheelOck,
u. C. Shepard. A. l.. MOhler, j. NJ.
Egan. Allen Marvel, of st, Paul:
Charles Dudley Warner, Mr.. Elricht. of
New York, and Maj. Ramsey, OF
Red River Valley, Oak. The city o
Helena has had elaborate preparations
in progress for some time 10 celebrate
the event, and to-day the arrival of the
Hill special train was greeted in royal
manner. A procession comprising 5000
people marched TO the depot to meet the
1rain with flags flying and brass band
music. The local artillery company of
the militia stationed itself near the
depot and fired ten guns as the train
pulled in. Whistles of all the mills and
factories blew, bells rang and the multi
tude cheered as the distinguished party
debaTked. A committee of the board
of trade escorted the guests from the
train to carriages, and they were placed
in the van of the procession
which moved up into the city. Snow
had been falling all day, but the turnout
was tremendous, and when the process
sion left the depot it was fully two
miles long. Civic and military Organi-
cations participated and trades and in
dustries were represented. Altogether
it was the greatest pageant ever seen in
Helena. The parade consumed two
hours and passed through the principal
streets, which were profuSely decorated.
Triumphal arches bearing inscriptions
of Welcome; national cOlOrS and
wealth of bunting was observable on
every hand. The city was crowded
with strangers for the celebration, and
at all points the procession was greeted
with cheers. Mr. Hill and Col. Broad
water, president of the Montana Cen
tral,
RECEIVED AN OVATION
and the gentlemen had to doff their hats
continually to respond to the cheers of
the multitude. No public man ever re-
ceived a more hearty welcome in
Helena. The procession broke ranks
at the opera house, capable of holding
1900 people, which was crowded to the
roof. Thousands were turned away
unable to gain admittance. Here well
coming exercises were carried on for
two hours. Addresses were made by
Mr.. Hill, Gov. Leslie, Hon. b. Platt
Carpenter, former governor of Montana;
Hon. Martin MaginniS, former delegate
to congress, and Hon. w. l.. Steele,
mayor of the city. Band, orchestral
and vocal music was also rendered.
The meeting was the most enthusiastic
gathering ever seen in the city. 1t
adjourned with three cheers and
a tiger for James j. Hill.
Tonight the decorations of the day
were supplemented by general illumi-
nation of the city and grand pyrOtechnic
display. At 9 O'Clock 500 invited guests,
including prominent citizens and the
Hill party, sat down to a SumptuOuS
banquet in honor of the Manitoba chief.
1t lasted until after midnight. The
menu was excellent and the wines Su-
perb and unlimited. Toasts were drank
TO the new railroad and responses made
by Mr.. Hill and prominent citizens.
The day has been a notable one in
Helena'S history, and partook more of
the character of a national holiday ju-
bilatiOn than railroad welcome. BuSi-
ness was universally abandoned.
Banks, schools and government Office
closed their doors and the entire city
was given over to jollificatiOn and cele-
bration. The day has been grand sue
cess. Mr.. Hill and party remain day
or two in the city before returning East.